The Senate has turned down Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s request to return to her legislative duties.
In a letter signed by the Acting Clerk to the National Assembly, Yahaya Danzaria, the lawmakers insisted that the embattled senator’s six-month suspension stands until the Court of Appeal rules on her case.
The Senate acknowledged receiving the senator’s notice that she planned to resume on September 4, 2025, which she said marked the end of her suspension.
However, the Senate pointed out that her suspension started on March 6, 2025, and added that the matter is sub judice since it is already before the Court of Appeal.
“The matter remains sub judice, and until the judicial process is concluded, no administrative action can be taken to facilitate your resumption,” the letter stated.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, who represents Kogi Central, was suspended in March after the Senate accused her of breaching its standing orders.
While the Federal High Court in Abuja upheld the suspension, she appealed to the Court of Appeal.
According to the letter, the Senate will only review her suspension after the court delivers its judgment.
Meanwhile, the lawyer of Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has confirmed that the lawmaker will return to the National Assembly later this month after completing her six-month suspension.
Naija News recalls that Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended on March 6 following allegations of insubordination for rejecting a designated seat during plenary.
The suspension, based on recommendations of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, also stripped her of aides, office privileges, and salaries.
The lawmaker had consistently argued that her ordeal was linked to her petition accusing Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, of sexual harassment, a claim the Senate dismissed.
Natasha later challenged her suspension in court, securing a judgment she said favoured her recall, but the Senate leadership maintained that she would remain suspended until the six-month penalty elapsed.
Her attempt to force her way back into the National Assembly in July ended in a standoff, as security operatives barred her entry despite a crowd of supporters rallying outside.
In an interview with Punch, Natasha’s counsel, Victor Giwa, disclosed that the Senator was on vacation in London but had already made plans to resume plenary alongside her colleagues when the Senate reconvenes on September 23.
The lawyer also stated that the Senate is ready to welcome Natasha and that no obstruction is expected upon her return.
He said, “Actually, she’s ready to resume her term. She’s in London. Everything is in place, and the six months have expired. The only thing left is her resumption.
“We have been told that even the leadership of the Senate is ready to welcome her. So that’s the situation at the moment. There is no obstacle at all.”
According to Giwa, with the expiration of the suspension on Saturday, September 7, 2025, pending legal disputes would not hinder Natasha’s return to the Senate.
He added, “Everything will be resolved. Even the court cases will become like an academic exercise.”
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